What Was This Sacrifice For?

"Since you lack the ability, then you'd better follow the rules!"

Qian Xunji's eyes instantly turned icy. He announced his final ultimatum, enunciating every word:

"Every faction that signed that joint letter a few days ago is involved!

"You have three days to prepare an apology gift befitting your status and personally deliver it to the Pope Hall in Spirit City!"

"Remember, you have only three days. If you fail to deliver it in time, or if what you send makes me think you're not sincere..."

Qian Xunji casually waved the Holy Sword, still dripping with blood, and the corner of his mouth curled into a cruel smile:

"Then I'll come to collect it in person. And by then, I won't just be taking an apology gift..."

At his words, every sect leader and envoy shuddered in terror, their faces ashen.

What the hell was this, if not the Pope shaking down the entire continent for protection money? And doing so with the perfect excuse to wipe out anyone who refused!

After saying all this, Qian Xunji turned and gave Ning Zhen and Yu Yuanzhen, lying on the ground, a meaningful look.

That look held three parts mockery, three parts warning, and four parts extortion: you'd better prepare me a grand gift.

Ning Zhen and Yu Yuanzhen felt their scalps go numb. They didn't even dare look at him.

"Back to the palace."

Qian Xunji held the struggling Star Luo Empress Zhu Wanying tightly in one arm. The Twelve Wings of Light behind him snapped shut, and he dropped into the luxurious Sacred Imperial Carriage.

The two Worship Hall enshrinees, Qian Jun and Jiang Mo, cast cold looks below and guarded the carriage like two fiendish deities. Amid the Unicorns' long whinnies, the carriage slowly rose into the sky and headed back to Spirit City.

Inside the carriage, the space was exceptionally spacious.

Qian Daoliu sat with his eyes closed in the seat of honor. He listened to the howling wind outside for a long while before slowly opening his old eyes. His gaze settled on Zhu Wanying, whom Qian Xunji had tossed into a corner. Her face was full of resentment and humiliation.

The old man furrowed his brows and quietly used Sound Transmission to speak to his son:

"Ji'er, you did a fine job establishing your authority today. Your father is pleased, but... why did you bring back the Star Luo Empress?"

The old man spoke in the solemn, lecturing tone of a patriarch:

"She may indeed be seductive and lovely, and her figure is exquisite,

"but she's Dai Tianfeng's wife—a secondhand good! Our Spirit Hall's Pope is meant to carry on the God Level Angel Bloodline. How can you take a woman like her, already fallen from grace?

"If you bring her back to Pope Hall, what will people say?"

Hearing the old man's furious tirade, Qian Xunji nearly burst out laughing.

He sent a message back to reassure the father who was so eager to hold a pure-blooded grandson: "Father, what are you thinking? Do you take your son for someone who's that desperate?"

"I brought her back purely to drag the Star Luo Imperial Family's dignity down into the dirt and grind it underfoot.

"Doesn't the Star Luo Empire care most about face and honor? Their emperor was knocked unconscious, and their empress was carried off as a trophy. Let's see how they can hold their heads up on the continent after this!"

Qian Xunji raised an eyebrow and added, "Don't worry. I'll just lock her in the basement as a high-ranking hostage, enjoy the view now and then, and squeeze a ransom out of the Star Luo Empire."

Only then was Qian Daoliu satisfied. He stroked his beard and closed his eyes again. As long as it didn't interfere with his getting a grandson with top-tier bloodlines, his son could do whatever he pleased.

After returning to Spirit City, Qian Xunji took Zhu Wanying straight to a secret underground chamber beneath Pope Hall.

Under the dim lights, Zhu Wanying, her Soul Power sealed, was forced to sit on the cold brick floor like a despairing kitten. But the Star Luo Empress had a fierce spirit that inspired admiration.

"Qian Xunji, you demon cloaked in holiness!"

Zhu Wanying glared at him. Her beautiful eyes held not the slightest trace of fear, only seething hatred:

"Don't think you can use me to threaten the Star Luo Empire! My Zhu Family has been loyal and valiant for generations, and Tianfeng and I have shared life and death. If you dare lay a hand on me, I'd rather bite my tongue off and die than let you have your way!"

Clap, clap, clap.

Qian Xunji stood before her. Instead of getting angry, he applauded in appreciation.

"Good! What a death-defying spirit! What devotion through life and death!"

Qian Xunji pulled over a chair and sat down, looking at her from above. His eyes held genuine admiration:

"Among the spineless cowards of the Star Luo Imperial Family, to find a woman as spirited as you—Dai Tianfeng must have been blessed for several lifetimes to deserve you. I've always respected people with backbone."

He leaned toward her slightly, his voice so gentle it sent a chill down the spine:

"Don't worry. As long as the Star Luo Empire pays the full ransom, I'll naturally let you return to your dear Tianfeng."

Zhu Wanying froze. She clearly hadn't expected the tyrant to give in so easily.

But then Qian Xunji changed tack:

"Still... I greatly admire the loyalty and spirit in your bloodline. The Star Luo Zhu Family has produced beauties for generations. Tell me, do you have any younger sisters?"

Zhu Wanying's pupils contracted, and an ominous feeling welled up inside her.

"Y-Why are you asking?"

"Don't be nervous." Qian Xunji tapped the armrest of his chair.

"I just think it would be a waste for a top-tier bloodline like your family's to be left in the Star Luo Empire as a pawn in some political marriage. So, do you have a sister?"

Under Qian Xunji's gaze, which seemed to pierce her soul, and trapped in this underground chamber where no one could hear her cries, Zhu Wanying bit her pale lip. In the end, she nodded in despair.

There was no point in lying. If he wanted to investigate, he could certainly find out.

"Yes... I do have a half-sister."

"Oh? How old is she?" Qian Xunji's eyes lit up.

"Six... six years old." Zhu Wanying's voice trembled. "She just turned six. She hasn't even awakened her Martial Soul yet!"

"Only six... That's just perfect, isn't it?"

Qian Xunji slapped his thigh.

"From today on, write a letter to the Star Luo Empire. Tell your Zhu Family to send your six-year-old sister to Spirit City right away, safe and sound.

"Tell them this Pope has taken a liking to her potential and wants to personally train her as his disciple!"

"In your dreams! She's only a child!" Zhu Wanying shrieked like a mother beast protecting her cub.

"It's not up to you." Qian Xunji's face hardened, his voice turning icy.

"Either your sister comes to Spirit Hall to be my little kitten, or in three days, I'll personally lead the Worship Hall to the Star Luo Imperial City and slaughter your entire Imperial Family, leaving not even the chickens and dogs alive. Choose."

Zhu Wanying collapsed onto the floor. Her psychological defenses had completely crumbled. She knew Qian Xunji was capable of it.

For the survival of her family, for the continuation of the Star Luo Empire, she could only close her eyes and let tears of humiliation fall.

"I... I'll write. Just don't kill Tianfeng. Just spare the Star Luo Empire..."

"Good. A wise man knows when to yield."

Qian Xunji nodded in satisfaction.

With the matter settled, Zhu Wanying shakily pushed herself up from the floor. Her voice hoarse, she asked, "I'll write the letter. Now... can I leave? You promised you wouldn't hurt me."

She only wanted to get out of this oppressive, terrifying underground chamber as quickly as possible.

"Leave?"

At her words, Qian Xunji not only failed to move aside, but lazily leaned back in his broad chair. He parted his legs slightly and propped his chin on one hand. His dark purple eyes gleamed with malicious possessiveness.

"The Star Luo Empire joined forces with others to send troops and pressure me. I've been rather wound up these past few days."

Qian Xunji looked down at her, his gaze dark and distant. His fingers tapped lightly on the armrest, his tone carrying an absolute authority that allowed no defiance:

"I did promise not to touch you, but as the empress of a defeated nation, you should fulfill some of your duties as a hostage. I'm in a foul mood, and my legs are a little sore. Before you go back to your cell..."

He pointed beside his leg, a cold smile curling his lips.

"Come here and... take care of me."

"You..."

Zhu Wanying jerked her head up, her face filled with unbearable shame and indignation. He... actually wanted her to...

"What? Her Majesty the Empress, with her noble birth, can't bend her waist? Can't open her mouth?"

Qian Xunji's gaze instantly turned cold. The pressure of his ninety-fifth rank Soul Power slowly filled the chamber.

"You're welcome to refuse. But then tens of thousands of lives in the Star Luo Imperial City may be reduced to ashes before sunrise tomorrow, all because of your precious pride."

Shameless! Despicable!

Zhu Wanying bit her lip so hard that it began to bleed.

Caught between utter humiliation and terror that her family would be destroyed, the once-arrogant Star Luo Empress finally gave up resisting.

Her gaze turned hollow and despairing. Her legs gave way, and under Qian Xunji's mocking stare, she slowly lowered herself in humiliation.

She placed her pale jade hands, once used only for playing the zither and cultivating, on the enemy Pope's knee and bowed her head, forced to endure his degrading demand.